My Childs Forefoot Hurts

Common foot problems  •  Tue 3 Jan 2023

One of the most important things we can do with our teenagers is to keep them active and interested in sports.

Foot pain is a big factor for this age group giving up sport so early so identification and management of problems in our kids feet is very important.

One cause of foot pain in adolescents is Freiberg’s Disease.

This condition occurs in the forefoot and symptoms include pain, swelling and reduced joint range of motion.

Females tend to be more effected effected than males.

The second toe joint is the one that is most often involved, however any of the toe joints can be affected.

Your child may or may not report a history of trauma. 

The cause of this condition is not well understood however repetitive microtrauma is believed to play a major role in its development.

As Freiberg’s develops, the blood supply to the bone that makes up the joint is restricted leading to changes such as flattening of the metatarsal head (the long, shaft like bone that join the toes).

This can result in a collapse of the joint surface and sometimes, results in loose bodiesforming inside and around the joint.  

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings such as localised tenderness at the toe joint(s) with associated swelling and can be confirmed by x-ray or MRI imaging.

Children's foot pain needs to be investigated

Treatment options may include a combination of

• activity modification
• icing
• footwear changes
• imobilisation
• physical therapy
• padding and foot orthoses.

Your child’s footwear is extremely important in the management Freiberg’s disease.

Think about whether your child’s shoes are providing enough cushioning and support and if they are appropriate for your child’s activity levels and sport of choice.

A shoe that has a contoured cushioning insole is an important component of the shoe.

This is especially important if your child is participating in sports that generate repetitive high loads like netball, running and volleyball.  

In some cases where conservative treatment is not successful in resolving symptoms, surgery may be needed to remove any loose bodies and to stabilise the damaged joint.

Contact us on 8330 0004 or Book Online

I would love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up.